Iran has right to defend itself from Israeli Criminal acts: UN Mission

• 

Following the martyrdom of two Iranian servicemen in an Israeli strike in Syria, Iran's permanent representation to the United Nations stated that the Islamic Republic maintains the inherent right to self-defense to respond to such criminal acts whenever it considers fit.

The Israeli occupation Air Force's F-16 fighters on Monday attacked Syria with eight cruise missiles, seven of them were destroyed, Rear Adm. Oleg Zhuravlev, deputy head of the Russian Center for the Reconciliation of Warring Parties in Syria, said following the incident.

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps announced Tuesday night that two Iranian soldiers were killed in an Israeli attack in the vicinity of Damascus.

"There is no doubt that the Israeli occupation will pay for this crime," the IRGC statement said.

Iran's permanent mission to the UN released a letter that highlights Iran's position on the attack and details that the two Iranian forces who were martyred were present to advise the Syrian military forces in their counter-terrorism efforts, particularly against ISIS and at the request of the Syrian government.

The letter described the terrorist attack as "highly provocative and deliberate" in order to disrupt coordination among those fighting terrorism.

"This provocative and criminal act is in violation of international law and the United Nations Charter, and entails criminal responsibility for the Israeli regime and all who aided, abetted, or otherwise assisted and supported the preparation or execution of this terrorist act in any way, directly or indirectly."

The international community was called to condemn the criminal acts of the Israeli occupation and hold it accountable for its unlawful actions.

The circulated letter recounts that Iran has long been leading the fight against terrorism and is "determined, in accordance with its rights and obligations under international law, to continue its fight against terrorist organizations in the region until they are totally eradicated."

Additionally, it adds that Iran acknowledges that the Israeli regime is fully responsible for all of the consequences of these criminal acts, and strongly warns the regime against taking further adventuristic and malevolent measures, as the Islamic Republic of Iran reserves its inherent right to self-defense, as guaranteed by Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, to respond to such criminal acts whenever it deems appropriate.

The spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry stressed that the brazen Israeli action will not go unpunished, and that one of the goals of the Resistance Axis in the region is to hold the Israeli regime accountable for its inhumane crimes.